Journalists Assaulted As Security Operatives Restrict Access To National Assembly
Some security agents on Wednesday barred journalists from accessing the National Assembly complex, leaving several accredited reporters stranded.
The officers, including the Sergeant-at-Arms and police personnel, claimed they were acting on “orders from above” to prevent entry for those without official permanent identity cards.
Journalists who explained that the National Assembly’s Information Department had yet to issue the IDs were ignored.
Attempts to negotiate access for those with temporary passes were also rejected.
The situation escalated as security operatives resorted to verbal abuse and physical assault.
A journalist with The Sun, Mudashiru Atanda, sustained injuries, while The Nation’s Nicolas Kalu and Gloria Essien of Voice of Nigeria were shoved aside when they intervened.
An operative also seized the smartphone of Tolu Akinyemi, an accredited journalist with SuperScreen Television, threatening to confiscate it permanently.
When contacted, the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly denied issuing any directive to restrict journalists’ access.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
